Image forming apparatus and image forming method with image verification

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus includes a printing unit, a reading unit, a verification unit, and a control unit. The printing unit prints an image on a recording sheet. The reading unit reads the image printed by the printing unit. The verification unit verifies the image read by the reading unit. The control unit performs control to cause information, indicating that the image read by the reading unit is not to be verified by the verification unit, to be printed on the recording sheet with the image. When the reading unit reads the information, the control unit performs control so that the image is not to be verified by the verification unit.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, an imageforming method, and a program.

Description of the Related Art

A printing system by which a sheet printed by a printer is able to beverified by a verification device while the sheet is conveyed has beenrecently known. In verification of a printed sheet, the verificationdevice reads an image of the printed sheet that is conveyed, anddetermines whether or not the printed sheet is normal by performingimage analysis of the read image. The verification device is able todetect, for example, missing of a bar code or a ruled line, imagemissing, defective printing, page missing, color misregistration, andthe like. In a case where the printed sheet is thereby determined as adefective sheet, the defective sheet is discharged to a dischargedestination different from that of a normal sheet. This prevents thedefective sheet from being mixed in the normal sheet, and enables anoperator to discard the defective sheet.

According to a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.2010-42521, discharge destinations of a printed sheet determined as anormal sheet by a verification device and a printed sheet determined asa defective sheet by the verification device are able to be sorted.

However, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-42521 does not refer to aconfiguration in which a print job composed of a plurality of pages isprinted and verified and sheets are discharged by inserting a partitionsheet (insertion sheet) for each of bundles of sheets with apredetermined number of pages. Thus, when the insertion sheet isconveyed to the verification device, the insertion sheet may besubjected to verification processing.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image formingapparatus includes a printing unit configured to print an image on arecording sheet, a reading unit configured to read the image printed bythe printing unit, a verification unit configured to verify the imageread by the reading unit, and a control unit configured to performcontrol to cause information, indicating that the image read by thereading unit is not to be verified by the verification unit, to beprinted on the recording sheet with the image, wherein, when the readingunit reads the information, the control unit performs control so thatthe image is not to be verified by the verification unit.

Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a hardware configuration of a printingsystem.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of theprinting system.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a mechanism of animage forming apparatus.

FIGS. 4A and 4B each illustrate an example of a display screen when areference image is registered in a verification device.

FIGS. 5A and 5B each illustrate an example of a display screen when theverification device reads the reference image.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a display screen when a verificationskip area is set in the verification device and FIG. 6B illustrates anexample of a display screen when setting of a partition sheet isperformed from the verification device.

FIGS. 7A and 7B each illustrate an example of a display screen when theverification device reads a partition sheet image.

FIGS. 8A and 8B each illustrate an example of a display screen whensetting of a partition sheet determination condition and a position of apartition sheet ID is performed from the verification device.

FIG. 9A illustrates an example of a display screen when setting ofverification is performed from the verification device and FIG. 9Billustrates an example of a display screen when the verification devicedisplays a verification result.

FIG. 10A illustrates an example of a display screen when theverification device determines that a verification result is OK and FIG.10B illustrates an example of a display screen when the verificationdevice determines that a verification result is NG.

FIG. 11A illustrates an example of a display screen when theverification device skips verification and FIG. 11B illustrates anexample of a display screen when setting of a job to be verified isperformed from an external controller.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flow of processing of the external controller whena normal image is registered.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flow of processing of a printer when the normalimage is registered.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flow of processing of e verification device whenthe normal image is registered.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flow of processing of the external controller whena partition sheet image is set.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flow of processing of the printer when thepartition sheet image is set.

FIG. 17 illustrates a flow of processing of the verification device whenthe partition sheet image is set.

FIG. 18 illustrates a flow of processing of the external controller whenverification processing is performed.

FIG. 19 illustrates a flow of processing of the printer when theverification processing is performed.

FIG. 20 illustrates a flow of processing of the verification device whenthe verification processing is performed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments for implementing the disclosure will be describedbelow with reference to drawings.

In the following explanation, an external controller may be referred toas an image processing controller, a digital front end, a print server,a DFE, or the like. An image forming apparatus may be referred to as amultifunctional peripheral or an MFP.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a hardware configuration of an imageprocessing system according to the present embodiment. The imageprocessing system includes an image forming apparatus 101 and anexternal controller 102. The image forming apparatus 101 and theexternal controller 102 are connected so as to be capable ofcommunication via an internal LAN 105 and a video cable 106. Theexternal controller 102 is connected to a client PC 103 so as to becapable of communication via an external LAN 104 and a print instructionis given from the client PC 103 to the external controller 102.

In the client PC 103, a printer driver having a function of convertingprint data into a print description language that is able to beprocessed in the external controller 102 is installed. A user whoperforms printing is able to give a print instruction from variousapplications via the printer driver. The printer driver transmits printdata to the external controller 102 on the basis of the printinstruction from the user. When receiving the print instruction from theclient PC 103, the external controller 102 performs data analysis andrasterizing processing, inputs the print data to the image formingapparatus 101, and gives a print instruction.

Next, the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The imageforming apparatus 101 is configured so that a plurality of deviceshaving a plurality of different functions are connected and complicatedprinting processing such as bookbinding is able to be performed.

A printer 107 forms an image by using toner on a sheet that is conveyedfrom a sheet feed portion located at a lower portion of the printer 107.A configuration and an operating principle of the printer 107 are asfollows. A light beam, such as laser light, which is modulated inaccordance with image data is reflected by a rotary polygon mirror suchas a polygon mirror to irradiate a photosensitive drum as scanninglight. An electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drumby the laser light is developed by toner and the toner image istransferred onto a sheet stuck on a transfer drum. By sequentiallyperforming a series of image forming processes for toner of yellow (Y),magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), a full-color image is formed onthe sheet. The sheet on the transfer drum, on which the full-color imageis formed, is conveyed to a fixing device. The fixing device includes aroller, a belt, and the like, contains a heat source such as a halogenheater in the roller, and melts the toner on the sheet, onto which thetoner image is transferred, by heat and pressure to fix the toner ontothe sheet.

An inserter 108 is used to insert an insertion sheet. The inserter 108is able to insert a sheet between any sheets of a sheet group printedand conveyed by the printer 107.

The verification device 109 is an apparatus that reads an image of aconveyed sheet, compares the image to a reference image registered inadvance, and thereby determines whether the printed image is normal.

A large-capacity stacker 110 is able to stack a large volume of sheetstherein. A finisher 111 is used to apply finishing processing to aconveyed sheet. The finisher 111 is able to perform finishing such asstapling, punching, and saddle-stitching bookbinding and discharges abookbinding article after the finishing processing to a discharge tray.

Though the printing system described in FIG. 1 has a configuration inwhich the external controller 102 is connected to the image formingapparatus 101, the present embodiment is not limited to theconfiguration in which the external controller 102 is connected. Thatis, a configuration in which the image forming apparatus 101 isconnected to the external LAN 104 and print data that is able to beprocessed by the image forming apparatus 101 is transmitted from theclient PC 103 to the image forming apparatus 101 may be adopted. In thiscase, data analysis and rasterizing processing are performed in theimage forming apparatus 101 and printing processing is performed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of theimage forming apparatus 101, the external controller 102, and the clientPC 103.

First, a configuration of the printer 107 of the image forming apparatus101 will be described. The printer 107 of the image forming apparatus101 is constituted by a communication I/F 217, a LAN I/F 218, a videoI/F 220, an HDD 221, a CPU 222, a memory 223, an operation portion 224,and a display 225. Further, the printer 107 of the image formingapparatus 101 includes a document exposure portion 226, a laser exposureportion 227, an image forming portion 228, a fixing portion 229, and asheet feed portion 230. The respective components are connected via asystem bus 231.

The communication I/F 217 is connected to the inserter 108, theverification device 109, the large-capacity stacker 110, and thefinisher 111 via a communication cable 254, and performs communicationfor control of the respective devices. The LAN I/F 218 is connected tothe external controller 102 via the internal LAN 105, and performscommunication of print data or the like. The video I/F 220 is connectedto the external controller 102 via the video cable 106, and performscommunication of image data or the like.

The HDD 221 is a storage device in which a program and data are saved.The CPU 222 performs image processing control and control of printing onthe basis of the program and the like saved in the HDD 221. A program,which is necessary for the CPU 222 to perform various kinds ofprocessing, and image data are stored in the memory 223 and the memory223 operates as a work area. The operation portion 224 receives input ofvarious kinds of setting and an instruction of an operation from theuser. The display 225 displays information about setting of an imageprocessing apparatus, a processing situation of a print job, and thelike.

The document exposure portion 226 performs processing of reading adocument at a time of using a copy function or a scan function. Thedocument exposure portion 226 reads document data by photographing animage with a CCD camera, while illuminating a sheet set by the user withan exposure lamp. The laser exposure portion 227 is a device thatperforms primary charge for irradiating the photosensitive drum withlaser light to transfer a toner image, and laser exposure. The laserexposure portion 227 firstly performs primary charge that charges aphotosensitive drum surface to a uniform negative electric potential.Next, the laser exposure portion 227 irradiates the photosensitive drumwith laser light by a laser driver while adjusting a reflection anglewith a polygon mirror. Thereby, negative electric charges in theirradiated portion are neutralized and an electrostatic latent image isformed. The image forming portion 228 is a device that transfers toneronto a sheet, is constituted by a development unit, a transfer unit, atoner supply portion, and the like, and transfers the toner on thephotosensitive drum onto the sheet. The development unit attaches tonernegatively charged to the electrostatic latent image on thephotosensitive drum surface from a development cylinder, and visualizesthe electrostatic latent image. The transfer unit performs primarytransfer that applies a positive electric potential to a primarytransfer roller to transfer the toner on the photosensitive drum surfaceonto a transfer belt, and secondary transfer that applies a positiveelectric potential to a secondary transfer outer roller to transfer thetoner on the transfer belt onto a sheet. The fixing portion 229 is adevice for fusing and fixing the toner, which is on the sheet, to thesheet with heat and pressure, and is constituted by a heating heater, afixing belt, a pressure belt, and the like. The sheet feed portion 230is a device for feeding a sheet, and a feeding operation and aconveyance operation of a sheet are controlled by rollers and varioussensors.

Next, a configuration of the inserter 108 of the image forming apparatus101 will be described. The inserter 108 of the image forming apparatus101 includes a communication I/F 232, a CPU 233, a memory 234, and afeed control portion 235. The respective components are connected via asystem bus 236. The communication I/F 232 is connected to the printer107 via the communication cable 254 and performs communication necessaryfor control. The CPU 233 performs various kinds of control necessary forfeed in accordance with a control program stored in the memory 234. Thememory 234 is a storage device in which the control program is saved.The feed control portion 235 controls feed and conveyance of a sheet,which is conveyed from a sheet feed portion of the inserter 108 or theprinter 107, while controlling rollers and sensors on the basis of aninstruction from the CPU 233.

Next, a configuration of the verification device 109 of the imageforming apparatus 101 will be described. The verification device 109 ofthe image forming apparatus 101 is constituted by a communication I/F237, a CPU 238, a memory 239, an image capturing portion 240, a displayportion 241, and an operation portion 242. The respective components areconnected via a system bus 243. The communication I/F 237 is connectedto the printer 107 via the communication cable 254 and performscommunication necessary for control. The CPU 238 performs various kindsof control necessary for verification in accordance with a controlprogram stored in the memory 239. The memory 239 is a storage device inwhich the control program is saved. The image capturing portion 240captures an image of a conveyed sheet in accordance with an instructionof the CPU 238. The CPU 238 compares the image captured by the imagecapturing portion 240 to a reference image saved in the memory 239(storage portion) and determines whether the printed image is normal.The display portion 241 displays a verification result, a settingscreen, and the like. The operation portion 242 is operated by the userand receives an instruction, for example, to change setting of theverification device 109 or register the reference image.

Next, a configuration of the large-capacity stacker 110 of the imageforming apparatus 101 will be described. The large-capacity stacker 110of the image forming apparatus 101 is constituted by a communication I/F244, a CPU 245, a memory 246, and a discharge control portion 247. Therespective components are connected via a system bus 248. Thecommunication I/F 244 is connected to the printer 107 via thecommunication cable 254 and performs communication necessary forcontrol. The CPU 245 performs various kinds of control necessary fordischarge in accordance with a control program stored in the memory 246.The memory 246 is a storage device in which the control program issaved. The discharge control portion 247 performs control to convey aconveyed sheet to a stack tray, an escape tray, or the subsequentfinisher 111 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 245.

Next, a configuration of the finisher 111 of the image forming apparatus101 will be described. The finisher 111 of the image forming apparatus101 is constituted by a communication I/F 249, a CPU 250, a memory 251,a discharge control portion 252, and a finishing processing portion 253.The respective components are connected via a system bus 255. Thecommunication I/F 249 is connected to the printer 107 via thecommunication cable 254 and performs communication necessary forcontrol. The CPU 250 performs various kinds of control necessary forfinishing or discharge in accordance with a control program stored inthe memory 251. The memory 251 is a storage device in which the controlprogram is saved. The discharge control portion 252 controls conveyanceand discharge of a sheet on the basis of an instruction from the CPU250. The finishing processing portion 253 controls finishing processingsuch as stapling, punching, and saddle-stitching bookbinding on thebasis of an instruction from the CPU 250.

Next, a configuration of the external controller 102 will be described.The external controller 102 is constituted by a CPU 208, a memory 209,an HDD 210, a keyboard 211, a display 212, a LAN I/F 213, a LAN I/F 214,and a video I/F 215. The respective components are connected via asystem bus 216. The CPU 208 performs processing such as reception ofprint data from the client PC 103, RIP processing, and transmission ofprint data to the image forming apparatus 101 on the basis of a programand data stored in the HDD 210. A program, which is necessary for theCPU 208 to perform various kinds of processing, and data are stored inthe memory 209, and the memory 209 operates as a work area. A program,which is necessary for an operation of printing processing or the like,and data are stored in the HDD 230. The keyboard 211 is a device forinputting an operation instruction of the external controller 102. Thedisplay 212 displays information about application in execution and thelike of the external controller 102 by video signals of a still imageand a moving image. The LAN I/F 213 is connected to the client PC 103via the external LAN 104, and performs communication of a printinstruction or the like. The LAN I/F 214 is connected to the imageforming apparatus 101 via the internal LAN 105, and performscommunication of a print instruction or the like. The video I/F 215 isconnected to the image forming apparatus 101 via the video cable 106,and performs communication of print data or the like.

Next, a configuration of the client PC 103 will be described. The clientPC 103 is constituted by a CPU 201, a memory 202, an HDD 203, a keyboard204, a display 205, and a LAN I/F 206. The respective components areconnected via a system bus 207. The CPU 201 creates print data or givesa print instruction on the basis of a document processing program or thelike saved in the HDD 203. The CPU 201 comprehensively controls therespective devices connected to the system bus 207. A program, which isnecessary for the CPU 201 to perform various kinds of processing, anddata are stored in the memory 202, and the memory 202 operates as a workarea. A program, which is necessary for an operation of printingprocessing or the like, and data are stored in the HDD 203. The keyboard204 is a device for inputting an operation instruction of the client PC103. The display 205 displays information about an application inexecution and the like of the client PC 103 by video signals of a stillimage and a moving image. The LAN I/F 206 is connected to the externalLAN 104, and performs communication of a print instruction or the like.

In the explanation above, the external controller 102 and the imageforming apparatus 101 are connected by the internal LAN 105 and thevideo cable 106, but any configuration may be adopted as long as being aconfiguration in which data necessary for printing is able to betransmitted and received, and a connection configuration with only thevideo cable, for example, may be adopted. Further, the memory 202, thememory 209, the memory 223, the memory 234, the memory 239, the memory246, and the memory 251 may be storage devices for holding data and aprogram. For example, a configuration in which a volatile RAM, anonvolatile ROM, an internal HDD, an external HDD, a USB memory, or thelike is substituted may be adopted.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a mechanism of the image forming apparatus101. The printer 107 is a device that forms an image to be printed on asheet. In sheet feed decks 301 and 302, various sheets are able to bestored. In each of the sheet feed decks 301 and 302, only one uppermostsheet of the stored sheets is able to be separated and conveyed to asheet conveyance path 303. In order to form a color image, developmentstations 304 to 307 use toner having colors of Y, M, C, and K to formtoner images. The toner images formed here are primarily transferredonto an intermediate transfer belt 308. The intermediate transfer belt308 rotates clockwise in the figure to transfer the toner images ontothe sheet conveyed through the sheet conveyance path 303 at a secondarytransfer position 309. The display 225 displays a print status of theimage forming apparatus 101 and information for setting. A fixing unit311 that fixes the toner images onto the sheet includes a pressureroller and a heat roller. When the sheet passes between the rollers, thefixing unit 311 melts and pressurizes the toner to fix the toner imagesto the sheet. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 311 isconveyed to a conveyance path 315 through a sheet conveyance path 312.In a case where additional melting and pressurization are required forfixation depending on a type of the sheet, after the sheet passesthrough the fixing unit 311, the sheet is conveyed to a second fixingunit 313 with use of an upstream sheet conveyance path. The sheetsubjected to additional melting and pressurization is conveyed to theconveyance path 315 through a sheet conveyance path 314. When an imageformation mode is a double-sided mode, the sheet is conveyed to a sheetinversion path 316, and after having a front side and a back sideinverted in the sheet inversion path 316, the sheet is conveyed to adouble-sided conveyance path 317, and an image is transferred onto asecond side at the secondary transfer position 309.

The inserter 108 by which an insertion sheet is inserted includes aninserter tray 321 and causes a sheet, which is fed through a sheetconveyance path 322, to merge into the conveyance path. This makes itpossible to insert a sheet at any position in a series of sheet groupsconveyed from the printer 107 and convey the sheet to a subsequentdevice.

The sheet having passed through the inserter 108 is conveyed to theverification device 109. Cameras 331 and 332 are arranged in theverification device 109 so as to be opposed to each other. The camera331 reads an upper side of the sheet and the camera 332 reads a lowerside of the sheet. The verification device 109 is able to read images ofthe sheet by using the cameras 331 and 332 at a timing when the sheetconveyed in a sheet conveyance path 333 reaches a predeterminedposition, and determine whether the images are normal. For example, aresult of verification performed by the verification device 109 isdisplayed in the display portion 241.

The large-capacity stacker 110 is able to stack a large volume of sheetstherein. The large-capacity stacker 110 includes a stack tray 341 as atray for stacking sheets. The sheet having passed through theverification device 109 is input to the large-capacity stacker 110through a sheet conveyance path 344. The sheet is stacked on the stacktray 341 via a sheet conveyance path 345 from the sheet conveyance path344. Further, the stacker 340 has an escape tray 346 as a dischargetray. The escape tray 346 is the discharge tray to which a sheetdetermined as a defective sheet by the verification device 109 isdischarged. When being output to the escape tray 346, the sheet isconveyed to the escape tray 346 via a sheet conveyance path 347 from thesheet conveyance path 344. Note that, when the sheet is conveyed to apost-processing device on a downstream side of the large-capacitystacker 110, the sheet is conveyed via a sheet conveyance path 348. Aninverting portion 349 inverts the sheet. The inverting portion 349 isused when the sheet is stacked on the stack tray 341. When being stackedon the stack tray 341, the sheet is inverted once by the invertingportion 349 so that an orientation of the sheet is made identicalbetween when the sheet is input and when the sheet is output. When beingconveyed to the escape tray 346 or the post-processing device on thedownstream side, the sheet is discharged without being flipped forstacking, so that an inversion operation by the inverting portion 349 isnot performed.

The finisher 111 is a finisher that performs finishing processing for aconveyed sheet conveyed in accordance with a function designated by theuser. Specifically, the finisher 111 has finishing functions such asstapling (stapling at one position/two positions), punching (twoholes/three holes), and saddle-stitching bookbinding. The finisher 111includes two discharge trays 351 and 352, and outputs a sheet to thedischarge tray 351 through a sheet conveyance path 353. However,finishing processing such as stapling is not able to be performed in thesheet conveyance path 353. To perform finishing processing such asstapling, the sheet is conveyed to a processing portion 355 via a sheetconveyance path 354, the finishing function designated by the user isperformed for the sheet in the processing portion 355, and then, thesheet is output to the discharge tray 352. The discharge trays 351 and352 are able to be moved up and down, and the finisher 111 is also ableto operate to cause the discharge tray 351 to move downward, and stackthe sheet, which is subjected to finishing processing by the processingportion 355, on the discharge tray 351. In a case where saddle-stitchingbookbinding is designated, stapling is performed on a center of sheetsby a saddle-stitching processing portion 356, and then, the sheets arefolded into two and output to a saddle-stitching bookbinding tray 358through a sheet conveyance path 357. The saddle-stitching bookbindingtray 358 is configured to have a belt conveyor, and a saddle-stitchedbook bundle stacked on the saddle-stitching bookbinding tray 358 isconveyed to a left side.

FIGS. 4A to 18 each illustrate an example of a display screen displayedin the display portion 241 of the verification device 109 and thedisplay screen is displayed on the basis of an instruction of the CPU238 of the verification device 109. In accordance with a verificationitem set in advance, the verification device 109 verifies a sheet imagethat is printed. The sheet image is verified by comparing a referenceimage that is set in advance to the sheet image that is printed.Examples of a method of comparing the images include a method usingcomparison of pixel values of respective image positions, a method usingcomparison of positions of an object by edge detection, and a methodusing extraction of character data by OCR (Optical CharacterRecognition). Examples of the verification item include a deviation of aprint position, color shade of an image, a density of an image, astreak, blur, and missing print.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example of a screen displayed in the displayportion 241 of the verification device 109 when the verification device109 is activated. The display portion 241 performs display indicatingthat a reference image needs to be registered to start verificationbecause no reference image is registered (401). When the reference imagehas been registered, display indicating that verification is able to bestarted is performed. The reference image that has been registered isdisplayed in the display portion 241 (402). In FIG. 4A, since areference image is not registered, display indicating no registration isperformed is performed. In an area 402, information about setting ofverification, such as setting of a partition sheet, may be displayed inaddition to the reference image.

A button 403 is used to call a registration screen of a reference image.The reference image is an image to be compared to an image read by theverification device 109 and an image that is obtained by reading aprinted sheet and that is determined to be normal by visual observationor by the verification device 109 in advance is used therefor. A button404 is used to call a setting screen of a partition sheet. When thepartition sheet is compared to the reference image and determined as adefective sheet so that a discharge destination is switched, thepartition sheet by which a plurality of copies of products arepartitioned every fixed number of copies is not discharged to adischarge destination that is the same as that of a normal sheet. Thus,in a case where a print job including a partition sheet is verified,setting of a partition sheet is registered in advance at that time, andwhen a sheet is determined as a partition sheet, the partition sheet iscaused to be discharged to a discharge destination that is the same asthat of a normal sheet without performing verification.

A button 405 is used to call a setting screen of verification. Averification item and verification accuracy (degree of a difference froma reference image, by which an image is determined as a defective image)are set in accordance with a purpose of verification of the user. Abutton 406 is used to call a confirmation screen of a verificationresult. A past verification content and a past verification result areable to be confirmed. A button 407 is used to instruct start ofverification. When verification starts, the verification device 109starts to verify a sheet image that is fed.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example of a screen displayed in the displayportion 241 of the verification device 109 when a reference image isregistered. The display screen of FIG. 4B is displayed when the button403 of FIG. 4A is selected.

A setting portion 501 is used to set the number of sheets per one copyof a print job to be verified. In a case of a print job in which thenumber of sheets per one copy is two or more, the verification device109 is able to register a plurality of images as reference images.

A setting portion 502 is used to set a side to be verified. Whether toverify both sides, only a front side, or only a back side by theverification device 109 is able to be set. Note that, even in a case ofsingle-side printing, setting may be performed so that both sides areverified to verify that there is no dust on a side that is not printed.A button 503 is used to instruct registration of a reference image.After the button 503 is pressed, the verification device 109 reads animage of a printed sheet that is fed, and registers the image as thereference image.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a screen displayed in the displayportion 241 of the verification device 109 while the reference image isbeing read. FIG. 5A is displayed when the button 503 of FIG. 4B ispressed. The screen is displayed until reading for the number of sheets,which is set by the setting portion 501, is completed. A button 601 isused to instruct to stop reading of the reference image. When the button601 is pressed, the screen is returned to the display screen of FIG. 4Awithout registering the reference image.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example of a screen displayed in the displayportion 241 of the verification device 109 after reading of thereference image is completed. In an area 701, the image of the printedsheet read by the verification device 109 is displayed. In a case wherethere are a plurality of sheets, images to be displayed are able to beswitched by a switch button 702, and in a case where both of a frontside and a back side are verified, the front side and the back side areable to be switched by a switch button 703. A button 704 is used toinstruct setting of a verification skip area. Here, an area not to beverified is able to set, for example, for a case of printing in which aprint content in a specific area is changed for each copy, such asvariable data printing (VDP). Examples of the case include a case whereIDs different for each copy are printed and a case where only an addressand a name are changed for each copy.

A button 705 is used to instruct registration of the reference imageafter the read image in the area 701 is confirmed. When the button 705is pressed, the verification device 109 registers the reference imageand returns the screen to the display screen of FIG. 4A. A button 706 isused to cancel the reading. When the button 706 is pressed, theverification device 109 returns the screen to the display screen of FIG.4A without registering the reference image.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a setting screen of the verificationskip area displayed when the button 704 is pressed. An area 801 is theverification skip area. When an instruction is given with an arrow of aposition setting portion 802, a position of the area 801 is able to bechanged, and when an instruction is given with an arrow of a sizesetting portion 803, a size of the area 801 is able to be changed. Abutton 804 is used to register setting of the verification skip area.When the button 804 is pressed, the verification device 109 registersthe verification skip area and returns the screen to the display screenof FIG. 5B. A button 805 is used to register the verification skip areaand further register another verification skip area. The verificationdevice 109 is able to register a plurality of verification skip areas.

A button 806 is used to cancel the setting of the verification skiparea. When the button 806 is pressed, the verification device 109returns the screen to the display screen of FIG. 5B without registeringthe verification skip area.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example of a screen displayed in the displayportion 241 of the verification device 109 when setting of a partitionsheet is performed. The display screen of FIG. 6B is displayed when thebutton 404 of FIG. 4A is pressed. A setting portion 901 is used to setthe number of registered partition sheets. In a case where a pluralityof different types of partition sheets are inserted, a plurality ofdifferent partition sheets are able to be registered in the verificationdevice 109.

A setting portion 902 is used to set a reading side of a partitionsheet, including a partition sheet determination condition, and is ableto set the reading side as double sides, only a front side, or only aback side. A button 903 is used to instruct reading of a partition sheetimage. When the button 903 is pressed, the verification device 109 readsan image of a printed sheet that is fed, and registers the image as apartition sheet image.

FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a screen displayed in the displayportion 241 of the verification device 109 while the partition sheetimage is being read. FIG. 7A illustrates a screen displayed when thebutton 903 of FIG. 6B is pressed. The screen is displayed until readingfor the number of sheets, which is set by the setting portion 901, iscompleted.

A button 1001 is used to instruct to stop reading of the partition sheetimage. When the button 1001 is pressed, the verification device 109returns the screen to the display screen of FIG. 4A without registeringsetting of the partition sheet.

FIG. 7B illustrates an example of a screen displayed in the displayportion 241 of the verification device 109 after reading of thepartition sheet image is completed. In an area 1101, the partition sheetimage read by the verification device 109 is displayed. In a case wherethere are a plurality of partition sheets, images to be displayed areable to be switched by a switch button 1102, and in a case where imagesof both of a front side and a back side are read, the front side and theback side are able to be switched by a switch button 1103.

A button 1104 is used to register a partition sheet determinationcondition. In a partition sheet, a mark, such as a bar code, by which asheet is able to be determined as the partition sheet, is printed toavoid a case where the partition sheet is determined as a defectivesheet and a discharge destination is switched. When the button 1104 isselected, the verification device 109 registers a condition under whicha sheet is determined as a partition sheet. A button 1105 is used toregister a position of a partition sheet ID. In order to display averification result for each of bundles partitioned by a partitionsheet, different ID positions are able to be registered for each ofpartition sheets. By displaying the verification result for each ofpartition sheet IDs (bundle identifiers) that are read, the user is ableto easily confirm the verification result. The partition sheet ID(bundle identifier) is an identifier peculiar to a bundle.

A button 1106 is used to register setting of the partition sheet. Whenthe button 1106 is pressed, the verification device 109 registerssetting of the partition sheet and returns the screen to the displayscreen of FIG. 4A. A button 1107 is used to cancel the setting of thepartition sheet. When the button 1107 is pressed, the verificationdevice 109 returns the screen to the display screen of FIG. 4A withoutregistering the setting of the partition sheet.

FIG. 8A illustrates an example of a registration screen of the partitionsheet determination condition, which is displayed when the button 1104of FIG. 7B is pressed. An area 1201 is a partition sheet determinationarea. When an instruction is given with an arrow of a position settingportion 1202, a position of the area 1201 is able to be changed, andwhen an instruction is given with an arrow of a size setting portion1203, a size of the area 1201 is able to be changed.

A setting portion 1204 is a setting portion for a code or an image usedfor determination of the partition sheet. As another method ofcomparison of an image in the partition sheet determination area 1201,it is possible to select a method of detecting a bar code or a QR code(registered trademark) and determining a partition sheet from a readcontent of the bar code or the QR code.

A button 1205 is used to instruct registration of the partition sheetdetermination condition. When the button 1205 is pressed, theverification device 109 registers the partition sheet determinationcondition and returns the screen to the setting screen of the partitionsheet of FIG. 7B. A button 1206 is used to cancel the registration ofthe partition sheet determination condition. When the button 1206 ispressed, the verification device 109 returns the screen to the settingscreen of the partition sheet of FIG. 7B without registering thepartition sheet determination condition.

FIG. 8B illustrates an example of a registration screen of a position ofa partition sheet ID, which is displayed when the button 1105 of FIG. 7Bis pressed. An area 1301 is an area where a position of a partitionsheet ID is indicated. When an instruction is given with an arrow of aposition setting portion 1302, a position of the area 1301 is able to bechanged, and when an instruction is given with an arrow of a sizesetting portion 1303, a size of the area 1301 is able to be changed.When the position of the partition sheet ID is registered, theverification device 109 is able to read an ID every time a partitionsheet is fed and display a verification result.

A button 1304 is used to instruct registration of the position of thepartition sheet ID. When the button 1304 is pressed, the verificationdevice 109 registers the position of the partition sheet ID and returnsthe screen to the setting screen of the partition sheet of FIG. 7B. Abutton 1305 is used to cancel the registration of the position of thepartition sheet ID. When the button 1305 is pressed, the verificationdevice 109 returns the screen to the setting screen of e partition sheetof FIG. 7B without registering the position of the partition sheet ID.

FIG. 9A illustrates an example of a screen displayed in the displayportion 241 of the verification device 109 when setting of verificationis performed. The display screen of FIG. 9A is displayed when the button405 of FIG. 4A is pressed. A setting portion 1401 is used to set averification level. By operating the setting portion 1401, verificationaccuracy is able to be changed. As the level of verification accuracybecomes higher, the verification device 109 determines a read image as adefective image even when a difference between a reference image and theread image is slight.

A setting portion 1402 is used to set a verification type. The settingportion 1402 is able to set a verification item in accordance with apurpose of verification of the user. FIG. 9A indicates that a position,color shade, a streak, and missing are to be verified but a density isnot to be verified.

FIG. 9B illustrates an example of a screen displayed in the displayportion 241 of the verification device 109 when a verification result isdisplayed. The display screen of FIG. 9B is displayed when the button406 of FIG. 4A is pressed. In an area 1501, an attribute of an entirejob that is verified and a verification result are displayed. In theexample of FIG. 9B, a job name is bill and one job is composed of 1000sheets. The number of OK sheets indicates the number of sheets (pages)an image of each of which is determined as a normal image as a result ofverification, and the number of NG sheets indicates the number of sheets(pages) an image of each of which is determined as a defective image asa result of verification. A partition sheet is inserted on the basis of1000 copies as the number of copies of a job and 50 copies as aninterval of a partition sheet, which are set in setting of a job to beverified in FIG. 11B described later. In FIG. 11B, a partition sheet isinserted every predetermined number of sheets (every 50 sheets). Apartition sheet ID 10001 indicates a verification result of sheets of afirst page to a fiftieth page and a partition sheet ID 10002 indicates averification result of sheets of a fifty-first page to a hundredth page.The recording sheets of the first page to the fiftieth page areassociated with the partition sheet ID 10001. In the present embodiment,though one page is set per one copy, a plurality of pages may becertainly set per one copy.

In an area 1502, a verification result obtained for each of partitionsheets is displayed. Here, as a partition sheet ID in the area 1502, avalue obtained by reading a partition sheet ID on the basis of a contentregistered when a position of the partition sheet ID is registered inFIG. 8B is displayed. Further, the number of printed sheets (recordingsheets) determined as a normal image and the number of printed sheetsdetermined as a defective image for each of partition sheet IDs (foreach of bundles partitioned by a partition sheet) are displayed. In ascreen 1503, a job whose verification result is to be displayed isselected. A verification result of a first job (1000 sheets) among ninejobs whose histories are saved is displayed in the example of FIG. 9B.By operating a left or right button in the screen 1503, a job to bedisplayed is able to be switched. A button 1504 is used to instructcompletion of confirmation of the verification result. When the button1504 is pressed, the screen returns to the display screen of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 10A illustrates an example of a screen displayed in the displayportion 241 of the verification device 109 after verification starts.The display screen of FIG. 10A is displayed when the button 407 of FIG.4A is pressed. In an area 1601, an image of a printed sheet that is readby the verification device 109 finally is displayed. In an area 1602, adetermination result of comparing the read image in the area 1601 to thereference image is displayed. In the example of FIG. 10A, since the readimage is determined as a normal image, OK is displayed.

A button 1603 is used to instruct end of verification. When the button1603 is pressed, the verification device 109 ends verificationprocessing and returns the screen to the display screen of FIG. 4A. Abutton 1604 is used to instruct display of a confirmation screen of averification result of an entire job. When the button 1604 is pressed,the verification result of FIG. 9B is displayed.

FIG. 10B illustrates an example of a screen when the image that isfinally read is determined as a defective image. Since the read image isdetermined as the defective image as a result of comparison to thereference image, NG is displayed and a factor of determination as NG anda position are displayed in the area 1602. FIG. 10B indicates that theread image is determined as the defective image because a streak 1705 isdetected.

FIG. 11A illustrates an example of a screen when the image that isfinally read is determined as a partition sheet.

Since the read image is determined as the partition sheet, displayindicating that verification is skipped and display of a factor thatverification is determined to be skipped and a position are performed inthe area 1602. FIG. 11A indicates that a bar code 1805 is detected andit is determined that the partition sheet determination condition set inFIG. 8A is satisfied.

FIG. 11B illustrates an example of a setting screen of a job to beverified, which is displayed in the display 212 of the externalcontroller 102. Though FIGS. 4A to 11A each illustrate an example of ascreen when setting of verification is performed for the verificationdevice 109, an instruction to feed a printed sheet of a reference image,a partition sheet for setting, or a printed sheet to be verified to theverification device 109 is given from the external controller 102. Notethat, the aforementioned setting of verification may be performed fromthe display portion 241 of the verification device 109.

A setting portion 1901 is used to set the number of copies of a job. InFIG. 11B, setting to print 1000 copies of the job is performed. In theexample of FIG. 11B, one page is set per one copy and one job iscomposed of 1000 copies. Note that, as another example, a plurality ofpages may be set per one copy. A setting portion 1902 is used to set aninterval of a partition sheet. In the example of FIG. 11B, setting toinsert a partition sheet every 50 copies is performed. Note that, theinterval of the partition sheet may be set on the basis of the number ofsheets.

A setting portion 1903 is used to set a discharge destination of a jobto be verified. Here, the large-capacity stacker 110 is set as thedischarge destination, and the escape tray 346 is set as the dischargedestination to which a sheet is discharged when an image is determinedas a defective image by verification. A button 1904 is used to printonly one copy of the job and register the job as a reference image. Whenstart of registration of the reference image is instructed to theverification device 109 by using the button 503 of FIG. 4B and aninstruction to print one copy of the job to be verified is then given tothe external controller 102 by using the button 1904, printingprocessing by the printer 107 and registration of the reference image bythe verification device 109 are performed.

A button 1905 is used to instruct to feed a reference image from theinserter 108. The button 1905 is used when a printed sheet that has beenalready printed is read from the inserter 108 as the reference image.The button 1905 is used when printing and registration of the referenceimage are not performed at the same time but the reference image is readafter an image is determined as a normal image by visual observation ofthe user. When the button 1905 is used, the user places a printed sheet,which is to be registered as the reference image in advance, on theinserter tray 321 of the inserter 108 to thereby convey the printedsheet to the verification device 109. Here, a sheet may be fed from thesheet feed portion 230 of the printer 107, but when a sheet is fed fromthe sheet feed portion 230, the sheet is pressurized and heated throughthe fixing unit 311 and the second fixing unit 313, so that an image ofthe printed image may be deformed. Accordingly, in a case where theprinted sheet that has been printed is registered as the referenceimage, the sheet is desired to be fed from the inserter 108 so as not topass through the fixing units.

A button 1906 is used to perform setting of a partition sheet. Insetting with the button 1906, a print content and a position of aspecific bar code or QR code are able to be instructed so that theverification device 109 is able to determine that a sheet is a partitionsheet. In setting with the button 1906, presence/absence and a positionof a partition sheet ID are able to be set so as to be different foreach of partition sheets. When the partition sheet ID is read by theverification device 109 and a verification result for each of partitionsheets is displayed in the display portion 241 of the verificationdevice 109, the user is able to easily confirm the verification resultfor each of partition sheets.

A button 1907 is used when an instruction to print a partition sheet forsetting is given. When the instruction to print the partition sheet forsetting is given by using the button 1907, the external controller 102prints a bar code, a QR code, and a partition sheet ID, which are usedto determine that a sheet is the partition sheet, on the basis of thepartition sheet setting set with the button 1906 and conveys theresultant to the verification device 109. When an instruction to read apartition sheet image is given to the verification device 109 byselecting the button 903 of FIG. 6B and the partition sheet for settingis then printed by selecting the button 1907, the partition sheet imageis read. After that, in the partition sheet setting screen of FIG. 7B,the partition sheet determination condition and the position of thepartition sheet ID are able to be registered while confirming thepartition sheet image that is read.

A button 1908 is used to instruct to start printing of the job to beverified. When start of printing is instructed by selecting the button1908, the external controller 102 sends the job, which is to beverified, to the printer 107 on the basis of the setting of FIG. 11B.After start of verification is instructed to the verification device 109by selecting the Button 407 of FIG. 4A, start of printing of the job tobe verified is instructed to the external controller 102 with the button1908. Thereby, the external controller 102 sends print data to theprinter 107 and instructs to convey the printed sheet that is printed tothe verification device 109. When the printed sheet is conveyed, theverification device 109 reads an image of the printed sheet and performsverification processing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed bythe external controller 102 when a reference image is registered. Aprogram to perform the flowchart of FIG. 12 has been stored in the HDD210, and is read to the memory 209 and executed by the CPU 208.

At S2001, the external controller 102 determines whether an instructionto print one copy of a print job is received. When the button 1904 ofFIG. 11B, which is used to instruct to print one copy, is selected,determination is performed as Yes at S2001. When the instruction toprint one copy is received at S2001, the procedure proceeds to S2002 andthe external controller 102 sends print data of one copy to the printer107 and instructs to perform printing.

When the instruction to print one copy is not received at S2001, theprocedure proceeds to S2003 and whether an instruction of feed from theinserter 108 is received is determined. When the button 1905 of FIG.11B, which is used to feed the reference image from the inserter 108, isselected, determination is performed as Yes at S2003. When theinstruction of feed from the inserter 108 is received at S2003, theprocedure proceeds to S2004 and the external controller 102 instructs tofeed a sheet by an amount for one copy to the printer 107 from theinserter 108. When the instruction of feed from the inserter 108 is notreceived at S2003, the procedure returns to S2001.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed bythe printer 107 when the reference image is registered. A program toperform the flowchart of FIG. 13 has been stored in the HDD 221, and isread to the memory 223 and executed by the CPU 222.

At S2101, the printer 107 waits for reception of the print instructionof the external controller 102. When the external controller 102 givesthe print instruction to the printer 107 at S2002 or S2004 in FIG. 12and the printer 107 receives the print instruction from the externalcontroller 102, determination is performed as Yes at S2101. When theprint instruction from the external controller 102 is received at S2101,the procedure proceeds to S2102 and the printer 107 prints the job,which is received from the external controller 102, at S2102. The jobreceived from the external controller 102 also includes informationabout a feed destination and a discharge destination in addition toimage data. In accordance with a content of the job received from theexternal controller 102, the printer 107 controls the inserter 108, theverification device 109, the large-capacity stacker 110, and thefinisher 111 via the communication cable 254.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed bythe verification device 109 when the reference image is registered. Aprogram to perform the flowchart of FIG. 14 has been stored in thememory 239 and is executed by the CPU 238.

At S2201, the verification device 109 acquires setting of printing.Setting values acquired at S2201 include the number of sheets per onecopy, a side to be verified, and the like that are set in FIG. 4B. Next,whether a sheet is conveyed to the verification device 109 is determinedat S2202. When a sheet is conveyed at S2202, the procedure proceeds toS2203 and an image of the sheet is read by using the camera 331 or thecamera 332 and saved in the memory 239 of the verification device 109.The image saved here is displayed in the area 701 of FIG. 5B.

Next, at S2204, the verification device 109 determines whether the imageis read for the number of sheets acquired at S2201. When reading of theimage is finished, the processing ends. When reading of the image forthe number of sheets is not completed at S2204, the procedure proceedsto S2202.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed bythe external controller 102 when a partition sheet image is set. Aprogram to perform the flowchart of FIG. 15 has been stored in the HDD210, and is read to the memory 209 and executed by the CPU 208.

At S2301, the external controller 102 determines whether an instructionto print a partition sheet for setting is received. When the button 1907of FIG. 11B, which is used to print the partition sheet for setting, isselected, determination is performed as Yes at S2301. When theinstruction to print the partition sheet for setting is received atS2301, the procedure proceeds to S2302 and the external controller 102instructs the printer 107 to print the partition sheet for setting. Theprint instruction of S2302 includes image data of the partition sheet.The image data of the partition sheet is generated by the externalcontroller 102 on the basis of setting of the partition sheet with useof the button 1906 in FIG. 11B. The image data generated here includes abar code and a partition sheet ID that are used to determine thepartition sheet, as in the image of the area 1101 of FIG. 7B.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed bythe printer 107 when the partition sheet image is set. A program toperform the flowchart of FIG. 16 has been stored in the HDD 221, and isread to the memory 223 and executed by the CPU 222.

At S2401, the printer 107 determines whether the print instruction ofthe external controller 102 is received. When the external controller102 gives the print instruction to the printer 107 at S2302 of FIG. 15and the printer 107 receives the print instruction, determination isperformed as Yes at S2401. When the print instruction from the externalcontroller 102 is received at S2401, the procedure proceeds to S2402 andthe printer 107 prints the job, which is received from the externalcontroller 102, at S2402. In accordance with a content of the jobreceived from the external controller 102, the printer 107 controls theinserter 108, the verification device 109, the large-capacity stacker110, and the finisher 111 via the communication cable 254.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed bythe verification device 109 when the partition sheet image is set. Aprogram to perform the flowchart of FIG. 17 has been stored in thememory 239 and is executed by the CPU 238.

At S2501, the verification device 109 acquires setting of the partitionsheet. Setting values acquired at S2501 include the number of registeredpartition sheets, a side to be read, and the like. Next, whether a sheetis conveyed to the verification device 109 is determined at S2502. Whenit is determined at S2502 that a sheet is conveyed, the procedureproceeds to S2503. At S2503, an image of the sheet is read by using thecamera 331 or the camera 332 and saved in the memory 239 of theverification device 109. The image saved here is displayed in the area1101 of FIG. 7B.

Next, at S2504, the verification device 109 determines whether the imageis read for the number of partition sheets acquired at S2501. Whenreading of the image is finished, the processing ends. When reading ofthe image for the number of partition sheets is not completed at S2504,the procedure proceeds to S2502.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed bythe external controller 102 when verification processing is performed. Aprogram to perform the flowchart of FIG. 18 has been stored in the HDD210, and is read to the memory 209 and executed by the CPU 208. When thebutton 1908 of FIG. 11B, which is used to start printing, is selected,the flowchart of FIG. 18 starts.

Upon reception of the print instruction by selecting the button 1908 tostart printing, at S2601, the external controller 102 acquires settingof the number of copies of the job and the interval of the partitionsheet. Here, a case where the number of copies of the job is set as Xand the partition sheet is set to be inserted every Y copies will bedescribed. Next, the procedure proceeds to S2602 and 0 as an initialvalue is assigned to I. Next, the procedure proceeds to S2603 and I+1 isassigned to I. Subsequently, the procedure proceeds to S2604 and theexternal controller 102 instructs the printer 107 to print an Ith copy.

Next, the procedure proceeds to S2605 and whether I is divisible by Y isdetermined. When I is not divisible by Y at S2605, the procedureproceeds to S2607. When I is divisible by Y at S2605, the procedureproceeds to S2606 and the external controller 102 instructs the printer107 to print the partition sheet at S2606. The print instruction ofS2606 includes image data of the partition sheet and the image data ofthe partition sheet is generated by the external controller 102 on thebasis of setting of the partition sheet with use of the button 1906 inFIG. 11B. The image data generated here includes a bar code and apartition sheet ID that are used to determine the partition sheet, as inthe area 1601 of FIG. 11A, and may also include information about a job,information about the number of printed copies, and the like. Here, whenthe partition sheet ID is differentiated for each of jobs or partitionsheets, the user is able to easily confirm a verification result foreach of partition sheet IDs from the area 1502 of FIG. 9B later.

Next, whether I and X are equal is determined at S2607. When I and X arenot equal at S2607, printing for all the number of copies is notcompleted, so that the procedure returns to S2603. When I and X areequal at S2607, printing for all the number of copies is completed, sothat printer 107 ends the processing.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed bythe printer 107 when the verification processing is performed. A programto perform the flowchart of FIG. 19 has been stored in the HDD 221, andis read to the memory 223 and executed by the CPU 222.

At S2701, the printer 107 determines whether the print instruction ofthe external controller 102 is received. When the external controller102 gives the print instruction to the printer 107 at S2604 and S2606 ofFIG. 18 and the printer 107 receives the print instruction,determination is performed as Yes at S2701. When the print instructionfrom the external controller 102 is received at S2701, the procedureproceeds to S2702. At S2702, the printer 107 prints the job receivedfrom the external controller 102. Here, in accordance with a content ofthe job received from the external controller 102, the printer 107controls the inserter 108, the verification device 109, thelarge-capacity stacker 110, and the finisher 111 via the communicationcable 254.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed bythe verification device 109 when the verification processing isperformed. A program to perform the flowchart of FIG. 20 has been storedin the memory 239 and is executed by the CPU 238.

At S2801, the verification device 109 determines whether an instructionto end verification is received. When the button 1603 of FIG. 10A, whichis used to end verification, is selected, determination is performed asYes at S2801. When the instruction to end verification is received atS2801, the verification device 109 ends the processing. When theinstruction to end verification is not received at S2801, the procedureproceeds to S2802.

At S2802, whether a sheet is conveyed to the verification device 109 isdetermined. When a sheet is not conveyed at S2802, the procedure returnsto S2801. When it is determined at S2802 that a sheet is conveyed, theprocedure proceeds to S2803. At S2803, an image of the sheet is read byusing the camera 331 or the camera 332 and saved in the memory 239 ofthe verification device 109. The image saved here is displayed in thearea 1601 of FIG. 10A.

Next, at S2804, the verification device 109 determines whether a barcode. indicating a partition sheet is printed in the image read atS2803. In the partition sheet determination condition, a position and atype are set in FIG. 8A, and not only a bar code but also a QR code orimage data may be used. When a bar code indicating a partition sheet isprinted at S2804, the procedure proceeds to S2811. At S2811, a partitionsheet ID printed on the partition sheet is read. The partition sheet IDread here is used when the verification result for each of partitionsheets is displayed for each of partition sheet IDs in FIG. 9B.

Next, the procedure proceeds to S2812 and the verification device 109instructs the printer 107 to discharge a printed sheet to the stack tray341 of the large-capacity stacker 110. A discharge destination of thedischarge here is a discharge destination set by the setting portion1903 in FIG. 11B. In accordance with the instruction from theverification device 109, the printer 107 instructs the large-capacitystacker 110 to discharge the sheet to the stack tray 341. Next, theprocedure proceeds to S2801 and the processing continues.

When a bar code indicating a partition sheet is not printed at S2804,the procedure proceeds to S2805. At S2805, the verification device 109compares the image read at S2803 to a reference image. The referenceimage is based on setting registered with respect to the verificationdevice 109 with the button 403 in FIG. 4A. An item to be compared atS2805 is a verification level set by the setting portion 1401 of FIG. 9Aor a type of verification set by the setting portion 1402. Next, theprocedure proceeds to S2806 and whether the read image is a normal imageor a defective image is determined as a result of the comparison to thereference image at S2805.

When the read image is determined as the normal image (the verificationresult is OK) at S2806, the procedure proceeds to S2807. At S2807,display indicating that the verification result is OK is performed inthe display portion 241 of the verification device 109. FIG. 10Aillustrates an example of a screen displayed at S2807.

Next, the procedure proceeds S2808 and the verification device 109instructs the printer 107 to discharge the printed sheet to the stacktray 341 of the large-capacity stacker 110. A discharge destination ofthe discharge here is a discharge destination set by the setting portion1903 in FIG. 11B. In accordance with the instruction from theverification device 109, the printer 107 instructs the large-capacitystacker 110 to discharge the sheet to the stack tray 341. Next, theprocedure proceeds to S2801 and the processing continues.

When the read image is determined as a defective image (the verificationresult is NO) at S2806, the procedure proceeds to S2809. At S2809,display indicating that the verification result is NG is performed inthe display portion 241 of the verification device 109. FIG. 10Billustrates an example of a screen displayed at S2809. Next, theprocedure proceeds to S2810 and the verification device 109 instructsthe printer 107 to discharge the printed sheet to the escape tray 346 ofthe large-capacity stacker 110. A discharge destination of the dischargehere is a discharge destination used when the verification result is NOand set by the setting portion 1903 in FIG. 11B. In accordance with theinstruction from the verification device 109, the printer 107 instructsthe large-capacity stacker 110 to discharge the sheet to the escape tray346. Next, the procedure proceeds to S2801 and the processing continues.

Thereby, bundles of sheets verification results of which are OK andwhich are discharged to the stack tray 341 are partitioned by eachpartition sheet, but the number of sheets of one sheet bundle varies inaccordance with the verification. Thus, in a case where it is desired toobtain a bundle of products that are determined to be normal byverification (the fixed number of sheets per one bundle), it isnecessary to separately prepare products determined to be normal byverification and supply, for each of bundles of products, sheets by anamount of sheets determined to be defective sheets.

In the present embodiment, an instruction to print partition sheet IDs,which are different for each of partition sheets, on the partitionsheets at S2602 and a verification result for each of partition sheetIDs is displayed in the display of the verification result in FIG. 9B.Thereby, the user is able to confirm the partition sheet ID described inthe insertion sheet and the verification result for each of partitionsheets displayed in the display portion 241 of the verification device109 and easily confirm, for each of bundles of products, the number ofcopies which are determined to be defective images and discharged toanother discharge destination.

In the present embodiment, an instruction to print a bar code, which isused to determine the partition sheet, on the partition sheet at S2602,and when the bar code indicating the partition sheet is read at S2804,verification processing is not performed and the sheet is discharged toa stacker as a discharge destination which is the same as that of anormal sheet.

As a result, it is possible to prevent that the partition sheet isdetermined as a defective sheet and discharged to a dischargedestination different from that of a normal sheet.

Embodiment 2

In Embodiment 1, setting of the verification device 109 is operated byusing the display portion 241 of the verification device 109 and a printinstruction of a job to be verified is operated by using the display 212of the external controller 102, but there is no limitation to such aconfiguration. The setting of the verification and the print instructionmay be performed by another configuration as long as being able to beoperated by any of the external controller 102, the printer 107, theverification device 109, and the client PC 103. For example, aconfiguration in which both the setting of the verification and theprint instruction are operated by using the display 225 of the printer107 may be adopted.

Moreover, in Embodiment 1, the verification result for each of partitionsheet IDs is displayed in the display portion of the verification device109, but a method of notifying the verification result is not limitedthereto. For example, the verification result may be displayed as reportprint after printing for all the number of copies is completed.Additionally, the notification may be performed to the user with an orthe like.

According to the disclosure, it is possible to prevent that an insertionsheet is subjected to verification processing and the insertion sheet isdetermined as a defective image.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may include one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. While the presentdisclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments,it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to thedisclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is tobe accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all suchmodifications and equivalent structures and functions.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2019-068836, filed Mar. 29, 2019, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a reading unitconfigured to read an image; a checking unit configured to check theimage read by the reading unit based on a reference image; and a controlunit configured to perform control, wherein, in a case where the imageread by the reading unit includes predetermined information, the controlunit performs control of the apparatus so that the image in which thepredetermined information is included is not to be checked by thechecking unit.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprisinga discharge control unit configured to perform control so that arecording sheet on which the predetermined information read by thereading unit is printed and a recording sheet on which an imagedetermined as a normal image by the checking unit is printed aredischarged to the same discharge destination.
 3. The apparatus accordingto claim 2, wherein the discharge control unit is configured to performcontrol so that the recording sheet on which the image checked by thechecking unit is printed and a recording sheet on which an imagedetermined as a defective image by the checking unit is printed aredischarged to different discharge destinations.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the checking unit is configured to checkby comparing the image read by the reading unit with the referenceimage.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising aregistration unit configured to register the reference image in astorage, wherein the registration unit is configured to cause aninserter to feed a recording sheet on which the reference image isprinted, and to register, as the reference image, an image printed onthe recording sheet that is fed.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the predetermined information is a code.
 7. A method for anapparatus, the method comprising: reading an image; checking the readimage based on a reference image; and performing control, wherein, in acase where the read image includes predetermined information, theperforming control includes performing control of the apparatus so thatthe image in which the predetermined information is included is not tobe checked.
 8. An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unitconfigured to print an image on a recording sheet; a reading unitconfigured to read the image printed on the recording sheet by theprinting unit; a checking unit configured to check the image read by thereading unit; and a control unit configured to perform control, wherein,based on the reading unit reading a code printed on the recording sheetby the printing unit, the control unit performs control so that arecording sheet on which the code read by the reading unit is printedand a recording sheet on which the image checked by the checking unit isprinted are discharged to the same discharge destination.
 9. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit isconfigured to perform control so that the recording sheet on which theimage checked by the checking unit is printed and a recording sheet onwhich an image determined as a defective image by the checking unit isprinted are discharged to different discharge destinations.
 10. Theimage forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, based on thereading unit reading the code printed on the recording sheet by theprinting unit, the control unit performs control so that a target imageread by the reading unit is not to be checked by the checking unit. 11.A method for an image forming apparatus, the method comprising: printingan image on a recording sheet; reading the image printed on therecording sheet; checking the read image; and performing control,wherein, based on reading including reading a code printed on therecording sheet, performing control includes performing control so thata recording sheet on which the read code is printed and a recordingsheet on which the checked image is printed are discharged to the samedischarge destination.
 12. An apparatus comprising: a reading unitconfigured to read an image on a recording sheet; a checking unitconfigured to check the image read by the reading unit based on areference image; and a control unit configured to perform control,wherein, the reading unit reads an image on a first recording sheet andan image on a second recording sheet of a plurality of recording sheets,the checking unit checks the first recording sheet image read by thereading unit, and the control unit performs the control so that thesecond recording sheet image read by the reading unit is not to bechecked by the checking unit.
 13. An apparatus comprising: a readingunit configured to read an image; a comparing unit configured to comparethe image, read by the reading unit, with a reference image; averification unit configured to verify the image read by the readingunit based on a result from the comparing unit making the comparison;and a control unit configured to perform control, wherein, in a casewhere the image read by the reading unit includes predeterminedinformation, the control unit performs control so that the image inwhich the predetermined information is included is not to be compared bythe comparing unit with the reference image.
 14. An apparatuscomprising: a reading unit configured to read an image on a recordingsheet; a comparing unit configured to compare the image, read by thereading unit, with a reference image; a verification unit configured toverify the image read by the reading unit based on a result from thecomparing unit making the comparison; and a control unit configured toperform control, wherein, the reading unit reads an image on a firstrecording sheet and an image on a second recording sheet of a pluralityof recording sheets, the comparing unit compares the first recordingsheet image read by the reading unit, the verification unit verifies thefirst recording sheet image, and the control unit performs control sothat the second recording sheet image read by the reading unit is not tobe compared by the comparing unit.
 15. A method for an apparatus, themethod comprising: reading an image on a recording sheet; checking theread image; and performing control, wherein, based on the readingincluding reading an image on a first recording sheet and an image on asecond recording sheet of a plurality of recording sheets, the checkingincludes checking the read first recording sheet image, and theperforming control includes performing control so that the read secondrecording sheet image is not to be checked.